Iv catheter with integral extension set and a spring powered needle safety

ABSTRACT

Catheter and needle assemblies with spring-powered retractable needles are described. The assemblies can include a hollow handle, a grip portion, a catheter hub with a catheter, and a needle. The needle can have a first position in which the needle is slidably disposed within the catheter and a second position in which the needle is slidably removed from the catheter and retracted at least in part into the hollow handle. The grip portion can include a trigger portion that activates a spring to move the needle from the first position into the second position. In the second position, a sharp distal point of the needle is shielded by the grip portion to prevent accidental needle sticks.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/477,256, filed on Apr. 3, 2017, and entitled IV CATHETER WITHINTEGRAL EXTENSION SET AND A SPRING POWERED NEEDLE SAFETY, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to intravenous catheters (e.g.,vascular access devices). More specifically, this application disclosesvarious methods for using and systems of catheter and needle assemblieswith spring-powered needle safeties. In general, vascular access devicesare inserted into veins via peripheral or central vessels for diagnosticor therapeutic reasons. Vascular access devices can be used for infusingfluid (e.g., saline solution, blood, medicaments, and/or totalparenteral nutrition) into a patient, withdrawing fluids (e.g., blood)from a patient, and/or monitoring various parameters of the patient'svascular system. Additionally, a convention is followed in thisdisclosure using the term “proximal” to refer to a portion of a deviceclosest to the medical practitioner and the term “distal” for theportion of the device toward a patient or away from the medicalpractitioner.

Intravenous (IV) catheter assemblies are among the various types ofvascular access devices. Over-the-needle peripheral IV catheters are acommon IV catheter configuration. As its name implies, anover-the-needle catheter is mounted over an introducer needle having asharp distal tip. The introducer needle is generally a venipunctureneedle coupled to a needle assembly that helps guide the needle andfacilitates its cooperation with the catheter. At least the innersurface of the distal portion of the catheter tightly engages the outersurface of the needle to prevent peelback of the catheter and, thereby,to facilitate insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. Thecatheter and the introducer needle are often assembled so that the sharpdistal tip of the introducer needle extends beyond the distal tip of thecatheter. Moreover, the catheter and needle are often assembled so thatduring insertion, the bevel of the needle faces up, away from thepatient's skin. The catheter and introducer needle are generallyinserted at a shallow angle through the patient's skin into a bloodvessel.

Following insertion of the catheter and introducer needle into the bloodvessel at the catheterization site, the introducer needle is removedleaving the catheter in the blood vessel. The catheter can then be usedto infuse fluids into the vasculature of the patient. The removedintroducer needle is considered a “blood-contaminated sharp” and mustthen be properly handled and discarded.

Although conventional over-the-needle catheters may provide a variety ofbenefits, they are not without their shortcomings. For example, afterthe introducer needle is removed, it can present a needle stick hazardto the medical practitioner and/or patient. Also, as ablood-contaminated sharp, the removed introducer needle can covered withblood and/or tissue and can present a contamination hazard to themedical practitioner and/or other patients. The needle stick andcontamination hazards can be exacerbated in certain situations (e.g.,where the catheterized patient is uncooperative or where catheterizationtakes place in a moving ambulance).

Thus, while a variety of over-the-needle catheters currently exist,challenges still exist, including those listed above. Accordingly itwould be an improvement in the art to augment or even replace currentsystems and techniques with other systems and techniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to catheter and needle assemblies withretractable needles. More specifically, this disclosure discussescatheter and needle assemblies with retractable needles that preventaccidental needle sticks. Methods of using these catheter and needleassemblies are also discussed.

Some exemplary catheter and needle assemblies can comprise a hollowhandle, a grip portion, a catheter hub comprising a catheter, and anelongate needle having a first position in which the elongate needle isslidably disposed within the catheter and a second position in which theelongate needle is slidably removed from the catheter and retracted atleast in part into the hollow handle. In some cases, the catheter hubcan further comprise a septum configured to form a fluid-tight seal whenthe elongate needle is in the second position. In other cases, the gripportion can comprise a trigger portion configured to activate a springto move the elongate needle from the first position into the secondposition. In yet other cases, the assembly can include a needle carriageselectively coupled to the elongate needle. In some instances, a springcan drive the needle carriage along elongate cavities within the gripportion and hollow handle to retract the needle from the first positionto the second position. In other instances, the needle carriage cancomprise a carriage extension configured to detachably couple with aproximal fitting of the catheter hub. In yet other instances, needlecarriage can comprise a needle carriage cavity in fluid communicationwith an open bore of the elongate needle. In some cases, the needlecarriage can comprises a neck configured to engage a trigger tab tomaintain the elongate needle in the first position. In other cases, thecatheter hub comprises a Y-port.

In some embodiments, methods of catheterization comprise providing acatheter and needle assembly comprising a hollow handle, a grip portion,a catheter hub comprising a catheter, and an elongate needle having afirst position in which the elongate needle is slidably disposed withinthe catheter and a second position in which the elongate needle isslidably removed from the catheter and retracted at least in part intothe hollow handle, inserting the elongate needle and catheter at acatheter insertion site, activating a trigger portion to activate aspring to move the elongate needle from the first position to the secondposition, and removing the grip and handle portions containing theretracted elongate needle. In some cases, the catheter hub can furthercomprise a septum configured to form a fluid-tight seal when theelongate needle is in the second position. In other cases, activatingthe trigger portion can include depressing a trigger button thatdisengages a trigger tab that maintains the elongate needle in the firstposition.

In some embodiments, catheter and needle assemblies comprise a hollowhandle coupled to a grip portion, the hollow handle and grip portioncomprising an elongate cavity, a catheter hub comprising a catheter, andan elongate needle mounted on a needle carriage, where the needlecarriage is slidably disposed within the elongate cavity, and where theelongate needle comprises a first position in which the elongate needleis slidably disposed within the catheter and a second position in whichthe elongate needle is slidably removed from the catheter and retractedat least in part into the hollow handle. In some cases, the grip portioncan comprise a trigger portion configured to activate a spring toslidably drive the needle carriage along the elongate cavity to move theelongate needle from the first position into the second position. Inother cases, the catheter hub can further comprise a septum traversed bythe elongate needle when the elongate needle is in the first positionand configured to form a fluid-tight seal when the elongate needle isslidably removed from the septum as the elongate needle moves to thesecond position. In yet other cases, the needle carriage can comprise acarriage extension configured to detachably couple with a proximalfitting of the catheter hub when the elongate needle is in the firstposition. In some instances, the needle carriage can comprise a needlecarriage cavity in fluid communication with an open bore of the elongateneedle. In other instances, the needle carriage can comprise a neckconfigured to engage a trigger tab to maintain the elongate needle inthe first position. In yet other instances, depressing a trigger buttoncan slide the trigger tab to disengage the neck to retract the elongateneedle to the second position. In some cases, a sharp distal point ofthe elongate needle can be shielded by the grip portion when theelongate needle is in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of disclosed embodiments are obtained and will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the systems and methodsbriefly described above will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments andare not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope.Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail belowthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a catheter and needle assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top cutaway view of a catheter and needle assembly;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top cutaway view of a catheter hub and gripportion;

FIG. 4A illustrates a top cutaway view of a catheter hub and gripportion with a needle in a retracted position;

FIG. 4B illustrates a top cutaway view of a hollow handle with a needlein a retracted position;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side cutaway view of a trigger portion in relationto a grip portion;

FIG. 6A illustrates a front cutaway view of a trigger portion in anengaged position; and

FIG. 6B illustrates a front cutaway view of a trigger portion in adisengaged position.

The Figures illustrate specific aspects of exemplary catheter securementdressing and methods for making and using such devices as describedbelow. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrateand explain the principles of the structures, methods, and principlesdescribed herein. In the drawings, the thickness and size of componentsmay be exaggerated or otherwise modified for clarity. The same referencenumerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thustheir descriptions will not be repeated. Furthermore, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the described devices. Moreover,the Figures may show simplified or partial views, and the dimensions ofelements in the Figures may be exaggerated or otherwise not inproportion for clarity and instruction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description supplies specific details to provide athorough understanding of the described catheter and needle assemblies.Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the describedcatheter and needle assemblies and methods of making and using them canbe implemented and used without employing these specific details.Indeed, the catheter and needle assemblies can be placed into practiceby modifying the illustrated devices and methods and can be used inconjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally usedin the industry.

In general, this disclosure relates to systems of catheter and needleassemblies and methods of catheterization using such catheter and needleassemblies. In some instances, a catheter and needle assembly cancomprise a hollow handle, a grip portion, and a catheter hub, arrangedin that order along a longitudinal axis. The catheter hub can comprisean over-the-needle-catheter configured for catheterization of a patient.The needle can be configured retract into the grip portion and hollowhandle via a spring. Using the grip portion to manipulate the catheterand needle assembly, a medical practitioner can insert theover-the-needle-catheter into a vasculature of the patient at a catheterinsertion site. The medical practitioner can then activate a trigger onthe grip portion to retract the spring-loaded needle into the gripportion and the hollow handle. The spring-loaded needle retracts intothe grip portion and hollow handle to sheath the needle to avoid aneedle stick from the retracted needle. The grip portion and hollowhandle can then be removed as a single unit from the catheter hub andsafely discarded with minimized risk of needle stick and/orcontamination.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a catheter and needle assembly 1 is shown. Whilethe catheter and needle assembly 1 can comprise any suitable componentand/or suitable structure, at least in some embodiments, it comprises ahollow handle 10, a grip portion 30, and a catheter hub 60. In someinstances, the hollow handle 10, the grip portion 30, and the catheterhub 60 can be aligned along a longitudinal axis “A”. The hollow handle10 can comprise an elongate cavity 12 aligned along the longitudinalaxis “A”. The hollow handle 10 can comprise a proximal end 14 and adistal end 16. The proximal end 14 of the hollow handle 10 can comprisean axial opening 18 that includes a vent 20. In some cases, the vent 20can be configured to selectively allow air transmission into and out ofcavity 12 and/or to substantially prevent fluid flow into or out ofcavity 12.

In some embodiments, the grip portion 30 comprises a proximal end 32 anda distal end 34. The proximal end 32 of the grip portion 30 canselectively couple with the distal end 16 of the hollow handle 10. Thedistal end 34 of the grip portion 30 can selectively and detachablycouple with a proximal end 62 of the catheter hub 60. The grip portion30 can also comprise an elongate cavity 36 that extends from the distalend 34 to the proximal end 32 and into the elongate cavity 12 of thehollow handle 10. The grip portion 30 can also comprise grippingsurfaces 38 configured to allow the medical practitioner to manipulatethe assembly 1 during catheterization. The grip portion 30 can alsocomprise a trigger portion 130. In some cases, the trigger portion 130is configured to allow the medical practitioner to retract thespring-loaded needle into the grip portion 30 and hollow handle 10.

In some embodiments, the catheter hub 60 comprises the proximal end 62,a distal end 64, and an open passageway 66 therethrough. In some cases,the proximal end 62 of the catheter hub 60 can be configured toselectively and detachable couple with the distal end 34 of the gripportion 30. In other cases, the catheter hub 60 can comprise a catheter68 extending distally from the catheter hub 60. In yet other cases thecatheter hub 60 can comprise a fluid junction 70 in fluid communicationwith the catheter 68, tubing 72, and fluid connector 74. In someinstances, the tubing 72 can comprise one or more pinch clamps. In otherinstances, the fluid connector 74 can comprise one or more Luerfittings, a needleless connection, or other means of connecting a fluidline.

In some embodiments, the catheter and needle assembly 1 comprises anelongate needle 100 with an open bore 102 therethrough and a sharpdistal point 104. The needle 100 can be slidably disposed within thecatheter 68. The needle 100 can be selectively coupled to a needlecarriage 106. The needle carriage 106 can be configured to slidablytranslate within and along the elongate cavity 36 of the grip portion 30and into the elongate cavity 12 of the handle. The needle 100 can have afirst position, best seen in FIGS. 1-3, with needle 100 disposed withinthe catheter hub 60 within the open passageway 66 and slidably disposedwithin the catheter 68. In this first position, the needle carriage 106is disposed within the grip portion 30. The needle 100 can also have asecond position, best seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, with the needle 100retracted by a helical spring 108 into the grip portion 30 and thehollow handle 10. In this second position, the needle carriage 106 isdisposed within the handle 10.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-2, in some embodiments, the catheterand needle assembly 1 comprises a cover 140. The cover 140 can comprisea distal portion 142 configured to shield the catheter 68 and/or theneedle 100. The cover 140 can also comprise a proximal portion 144configured to shield at least a portion of the catheter hub 60 and thegrip portion 30. The proximal portion 144 can also be configured tocover and/or to shield the trigger portion 130 to prevent accidentalactivation of the trigger portion 130.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cutaway view of some embodiments of the gripportion 30 and the catheter hub 60 are shown with the needle carriage106 in the first position. In the first position, the needle carriage106 can be slidably disposed within the elongate cavity 36 of the gripportion. Also, in this first position, the helical spring 108 can becoiled around a portion of the needle carriage 106 and compressedbetween a spring tab 110 on the needle carriage 106 and a spring tab 40on the grip portion 30. The needle carriage 106 can be maintained inthis first position with the compressed spring 108 by trigger tabs 132that slidably engage a neck 112 of the needle carriage 106. The triggertabs 132 can slidably engage along trigger tab slots 42 in the gripportion 30. The needle 100 can be coupled to the needle carriage 106 bya needle mount 114. The open bore 102 of the needle 100 can open into aneedle carriage cavity 116. The needle carriage cavity 116 can open intoa needle carriage opening 118. In some cases, the needle carriageopening 118 can further comprise a filter 120.

In some embodiments, the grip portion 30 comprises a distal wall 44. Insome cases, the distal wall 44 can comprise wall extensions 46. Thedistal wall 44 can comprise a distal opening 48. In other cases, thedistal wall 44 can be configured to receive a needle carriage extension122 of the needle carriage 106 such that the needle carriage extension122 extends at least in part through the distal opening 48 when theneedle 100 is in the first position. The needle carriage extension 122can be configured to extend into and/or be received by a proximalfitting 76 on the catheter hub 60 when the needle 100 is in the firstposition. The needle carriage extension 122 can also be configured todetachably couple with the proximal fitting 76 on the catheter hub 60when the needle 100 is in the first position. In some cases, theproximal fitting 76 can comprise a Luer style fitting. In other cases,the distal wall 44 can be configured to receive the proximal fitting 76.In yet other cases, the needle carriage extension 122 can be configuredto extend at least in part into an opening in the proximal fitting 76.

In some embodiments, when the needle 100 is in the first position, theneedle 100 extends through the catheter hub 60 through a septum 78disposed in the open passageway 66 of the catheter hub 60. The septum 78can be retained within the open passageway 66 by septum retaining tabs80. The septum 78 can also comprise one or more openings. In some cases,the septum 78 comprises a first septum opening 82 and a second septumopening 84 connected by a septum lumen 86. When in the first position,the needle 100 can also extend through the catheter 68. The catheter 68can be secured at least in part to the catheter hub 60 with a grommet88.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a cutaway view of some embodiments ofthe needle and catheter assembly 1 are shown with the needle 100 in thesecond position. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the second position, the sharpdistal point 104 of the needle 100 can be retracted from the catheterhub 60 into the grip portion 30 to prevent accidental needle sticks. Inthis second position the needle 100 is no longer threaded through thecatheter 68. The needle 100 also no longer passes through the septum 78.The needle 100 also no longer passes through the first and second septumopenings 82, 84 and the first and second septum openings 82, 84 canmaintain a fluid-tight seal. The carriage extension 122 of the needlecarriage 106 can also retract from the proximal fitting 76 of thecatheter hub 60. In some cases, the catheter hub 60 can separate fromthe grip portion 30 when the needle 100 is in the second position. Inother cases, the catheter hub 60 can remain coupled to the grip portion30 when the needle 100 is in the second portion and the medicalpractitioner can separately uncouple the catheter hub 60 from the gripportion 30 after the needle 100 is retracted to the second position.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the second position, the spring 108 canuncompress and can drive the needle carriage 106 along the elongatecavity 36 of the grip portion 30 and into and along the elongate cavity12 of the handle 10. Concomitantly, as the needle carriage 106 is drivenalong the elongate cavities 36, 12, the needle 100 can be slidablywithdrawn from the catheter 68 through the septum 78 and into the gripportion 30 and the handle 10. The needle carriage 106 can then come torest and can be biased against the proximal end 14 of the handle 10. Insome instances, the grip portion 30 and handle 10 are then separatedfrom the catheter hub 60 and discarded to prevent anycross-contamination.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, some embodiments of the triggerportion 130 are shown. While the trigger portion 130 can comprise anysuitable component that allows it to function as intended, at least insome embodiments it comprises the trigger tab 132, a trigger button 134,and a keyhole opening 136 on the trigger tab 132. FIG. 5 shows a sidecutaway view of the trigger portion 130 with respect to the grip portion30. As shown in FIG. 5 and as described above, the trigger tab 132 canbe configured to be disposed within the trigger tab slots 42 to engagethe neck 112 of the needle carriage 106. When the neck 112 is engaged bythe trigger tab 132, the needle 100 is held in the first position. Thetrigger button 134 can be connected to the trigger tab 132. The triggerbutton 134 can be configured to allow the medical practitioner toactivate the spring 108 to retract the needle 100 by pressing down onthe trigger button 134 in the direction indicated by the arrow labeled“B”. By pressing on the trigger button 134 in the direction indicated bythe arrow labeled “B”, the medical practitioner can cause the triggertab 132 to be slidably translated along the trigger tab slots 42. As thetrigger tab 132 slidably translates along the trigger tab slots 42, theneck 112 becomes disengaged. With the neck 112 disengaged, the spring108 is able to drive the needle carriage 106 along the elongate cavities36, 12 to retract the needle 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, cross-sectional views of someembodiments of the trigger portion 130 relative to the grip portion 30are shown. FIG. 6A illustrates embodiments of the neck 112 engaged bythe trigger tab 132 and FIG. 6B illustrates embodiments of the neck 112disengaged from the trigger tab 132. In some cases, the keyhole opening136 on the trigger tab 132 can comprise a narrow portion 137 and alarger portion 138. The narrow portion 137 can be sized and/or shaped toengage the neck 112. The larger portion 138 can be sized to permit theneck 112 to be disengaged from the keyhole opening 136 and/or to permitthe carriage extension 122 to pass through the keyhole opening 136. Asshown in FIG. 6A, with the trigger tab 132 in the engaged position, theneck 112 can be engaged by the narrow portion 137 of the keyhole opening136 and the needle 100 maintained in the first position. As shown inFIG. 6B, as the medical practitioner presses down on the trigger button134 in the direction indicated by the arrow labeled “B”, the trigger tab132 slides along the trigger tab slots 42, the neck 112 disengages withthe narrower portion 137, and the larger portion 138 permits thecarriage extension 122 to pass through the keyhole opening 136 therebyallowing the spring 108 to retract the needle 100. While FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate a keyhole opening 136 mechanism to engage and disengage theneck 112, any other suitable mechanism as is known in the art can beused. For example, a pin or tab can be used to engage the neck 112 andthe trigger button 134 can be configured to remove the pin or tab todisengage the neck 112.

In some embodiments, this application discloses methods ofcatheterization using catheter and needle assemblies comprisingretracting needles. In some instances, these methods can includeproviding a catheter and needle assemblies as described above. Themedical practitioner can begin by preparing a catheterization site on apatient. The medical practitioner can then remove the catheter andneedle assembly 1 from any packaging. The medical practitioner can thengrasp the assembly 1 by the gripping surfaces 38 and manipulate theassembly 1 so that the sharp distal point 104 of the elongate needle 100is at a catheter insertion site. The medical practitioner can theninsert the elongate needle 100 and the catheter 68 into the patient at ashallow angle at the catheter insertion site and access a blood vessel.In some cases, the medical practitioner can further advance the catheter68 to achieve proper placement. The medical practitioner can confirmproper placement of the catheter by observing blood flashback into theopen passageway 66 of the catheter and/or blood flashback along thetubing 72. The medical practitioner can then depress the trigger button134 to activate the spring 108 to retract the elongate needle 100 intothe second position. As the elongate needle 100 retracts into the gripportion 30 and hollow handle 10, the catheter hub 60 separates from thegrip portion 30. The medical practitioner can then discard the gripportion 30 and hollow handle 10 that contain the sheathed elongateneedle 100 with minimized risk of needle stick and/or contamination.When the elongate needle 100 retracts to the second position, the septum78 seals the catheter hub 60 to prevent fluid escaping from the patientthrough the catheter 68. The medical practitioner can then infuse fluidsto the patient through the fluid junction 70 and/or through fluidconnection 74. Alternately, the medical practitioner can then infusefluids to the patient through the catheter 68 via the proximal fitting76 of the catheter hub 60 using a connector that can traverse the septum78.

Although the catheter and needle assembly 1 can be manufactured andassembled in any suitable manner, at least in some embodiments, thecatheter and needle assembly 1 is assembled, cover 140 is positionedthereon, and the assembly 1 and cover 140 are placed within a sealedpackage. The sealed package can be formed from materials substantiallyresistant to contamination by infectious agents such as viruses andmicrobes. The sealed package can then be sterilized to render theinfectious agents non-viable. Suitable sterilization conditions thatrender the infectious agents non-viable include chemical sterilants(e.g., ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide vapor, and other similarchemicals) and exposure to ionizing radiation (e.g., gamma rays, betaparticles, and other similar types of radiation). Suitable materials forthe sealed package include, but are not limited to, paper, waxed paper,plastic, thermoplastic film, non-woven materials, and other similarmaterials. After packaging and sterilization, the packaged assembly isconsidered sterile until the package is opened.

In some embodiments, when assembly 1 is manufactured, needle 100 isrotationally oriented in the assembly 1 so that a beveled surface of thesharp distal point 104 is substantially aligned with the trigger button134. When the assembly 1 is unshielded in preparation for usage by themedical practitioner, the alignment of the beveled surface of the needle100 and trigger button 134 substantially directs the medicalpractitioner's grasp of the hollow handle 10 to an intuitively properposition for insertion into the patient with the beveled surface facingupward. Following insertion of the needle 100 the medical practitioneris readily able to confirm the proper placement in the patient's bloodvessel by observation of blood flashback in the open passageway 66and/or within the tubing 72.

In some embodiments, when assembly 1 is manufactured, a lubricant can beapplied to one or more parts of the assembly. For example, the lubricantcan be applied to one or more of the needle 100, the catheter 68, thecarriage extension 122, the needle carriage 106, and the spring 108. Thelubricant can be applied to reduce friction between the componentsand/or to permit the lubricated components to slip more easily past eachother. For example, lubricant can be applied to the needle carriage 106and spring 108 to permit the needle carriage 106 to slide more easilyfrom the first position to the second position. Likewise, lubricant canbe applied to the needle 100 and or catheter 68 to ease entry of theneedle into the patient's blood vessel and/or to ease removal of theneedle 100 from the catheter 68. In some cases, the lubricant cancomprise an antimicrobial agent such as chlorohexidine.

Although the catheter and needle assembly 1 can be manufactured from anysuitable materials, at least in some embodiments, the hollow handle 10,the grip portion 30, the catheter hub 60, and the cover 140 are formedfrom thermoplastic polymeric resins such as polycarbonate, polystyrene,polypropylene, and other similar materials. The hollow handle 10 and thegrip portion 30 can be formed from a substantially transparent materialto allow the medical practitioner to visibly ascertain whether theneedle 100 is in the first position or the second position. The catheter68 can be formed from thermoplastic resins such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane, and other similarmaterials. In some cases, the catheter 68 can be formed fromthermoplastic hydrophilic polyurethane that softens with exposure tophysiological conditions within the patient's body. The elongate needle100, the spring 108, and the grommet 88 can be formed from a stainlesssteel alloy or other similar material.

The present disclosure discusses catheter and needle assemblies that canhave many features. For example, some embodiments of the catheter andneedle assemblies comprise a septum within the catheter hub. The septumis configured to seal when the needle is retracted, thereby sealing thecatheter from an outside atmosphere to prevent fluid leakage. Also, inother embodiments, the catheter hub comprises a Y-port, tubing, andconnectors. The Y-port can provide an access point for the medicalpractitioner to infuse fluids into the patient. Also, the tubing canprovide the ability to observe blood flashback for a much longer time asa blood flow front progresses up the tubing. Another feature is a loweramount of drag when advancing the catheter. The lower amount of dragwhen advancing the catheter can be enabled by one or more of lubricatingthe needle and/or the catheter, the beveled surface of the sharp distalpoint of the needle, sizing and shaping the catheter and/or needle forreduced drag, and other similar features.

Yet another feature is the adaptability of the disclosed assemblies toother techniques known in the art. For example, the described assemblycan be modified to place a catheter within a tortuous vessel anatomy byproviding a flexible guidewire within the open bore of the needle. Theassembly is inserted at the catheterization site as described above.Then the flexible guidewire is advanced into the blood vessel. Thecatheter is then further advanced into the blood vessel along theflexible guidewire. Then the flexible guidewire is retracted. The needleis then retracted as described above.

In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous othervariations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdescription, and appended claims are intended to cover suchmodifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has beendescribed above with particularity and detail in connection with what ispresently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner ofoperation, and use may be made without departing from the principles andconcepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, the examples andembodiments, in all respects, are meant to be illustrative only andshould not be construed to be limiting in any manner.

1. A catheter and needle assembly comprising: a hollow handle coupled to a grip portion, the hollow handle and grip portion comprising an elongate cavity; a catheter hub comprising: a catheter; a septum; and a fluid junction in fluid communication with an extension tubing; and an elongate needle mounted on a needle carriage, wherein the needle carriage is slidably disposed within the elongate cavity, and wherein the elongate needle comprises a first position in which the elongate needle is slidably disposed within the catheter and a second position in which the elongate needle is slidably removed from the catheter and retracted at least in part into the hollow handle.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the grip portion comprises a trigger portion configured to activate a spring to slidably drive the needle carriage along the elongate cavity to move the elongate needle from the first position into the second position.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the septum is configured to be traversed by the elongate needle when the elongate needle is in the first position and configured to form a fluid-tight seal when the elongate needle is slidably removed from the septum as the elongate needle moves to the second position.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle carriage comprises a carriage extension configured to detachably couple with a proximal fitting of the catheter hub when the elongate needle is in the first position.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle carriage comprises a needle carriage cavity in fluid communication with an open bore of the elongate needle.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle carriage comprises a neck configured to engage a trigger tab to maintain the elongate needle in the first position.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein depressing a trigger button slides the trigger tab to disengage the neck to retract the elongate needle to the second position.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a sharp distal point of the elongate needle is shielded by the grip portion when the elongate needle is in the second position. 